Cymbalta

[Anxiety218]

Has anyone taken cymbalta and if so how do you like it? I’m debating on whether or not the withdrawal chances are worth trying it. I want to start trying for a baby within the next year. Thanks in advance

[designguy]

I was on it for awhile after switching from zoloft. I didn't find that it helped with my anxiety but we all react differently to different meds. I didn't have problems with withdrawal after doing a slow taper. Personally I recommend getting a genetic psychopharmacological test done if you can to determine what meds are best suited specifically for you. Mine was paid for by my insurance and came from Genesight, but there are other brands available.

[Strong12 in reply to designguy]

Does the green on the gene sight test mean it’s the best fit for you?

[designguy in reply to Strong12]

Yes, the green category lists the meds that are best suited for you in that category, say for instance under Antidepressants. On my test there were four different categories: antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics (anxiety meds), antipsychotics and mood stabilizers.

[Strong12 in reply to designguy]

So if my dr wants to put me on Cymbalta and it’s in the green, I should respond to that and it will decrease my anxiety or work

[designguy in reply to Strong12]

Possibly. Cymbalta is typically prescribed for depression and on my test results, it's listed in the "antidepressants" category. The category for anxiety meds is "Anxiolytics and Hypnotics" which I doubt that Cymbalta is listed in. So technically, a med listed in the green section of the "Anxiolytics and Hypnotics" would be better for you for your anxiety.

All this being said, my primary issue has been anxiety disorder but I also have a family history of depression and i have had some depression. My guess is that the majority of people with anxiety also have some issues with depression. I went on one of the antidepressant meds (Pristiq) listed in the green section of my test and it helped really improve my mood and decrease my anxiety. It also helped decrease my rumination. It did not eliminate my anxiety but definitely have helped me cope better. The other interesting thing for me was that my test showed that a couple of meds that I had been on in the past that I din't find helpful were listed as not being helpful for me, which helped verify the value of the test.

[Strong12 in reply to designguy]

Thank you for your support. I’m also tackling depression and my anxiety is high. It’s good to hear that your med deceased your anxiety. Did you have daily anxiety?

[designguy in reply to Strong12]

You're welcome and yes i did for years. Mine was primarily social anxiety disorder the result of being bullied and growing up in an emotionally repressive home environment. I'm so grateful to have recovered.

[IHeartCoffee]

I took cymbalta for quite a while after switching from Zoloft as well. I was thinking about trying for a baby sometime soon also so I had to switch back to Zoloft a few months ago. Man, I loved cymbalta. It worked great. I would have just stayed on it if they’d have let me. But yeah, my prescriber made me switch. You have to really taper off. I was taking 90mg so I did like 60 for one week, then 30 with added Zoloft for a week or 2, etc. What they say about going off cymbalta is true - it suuuucked. Mostly I just kinda had this feeling like I was walking on giant bubbles or something. I was all weird and tingly and intermittently dizzy. Just not fun. That being said, I would still take it again. It was good stuff. Hope this helps!

[Strong12 in reply to IHeartCoffee]

Did it get rid of daily anxiety? And was it easy to get on. I just hear so many stories of it not being good.

[IHeartCoffee in reply to Strong12]

I just saw this, I’m sorry! But yes, it worked well for me. I don’t recall anything too weird with starting it. Just going off of it is the tricky part since it apparently has loads of known withdrawal symptoms. Still I would take it again. It was good stuff.